A little helping hand from Whau Local Board is making a big difference to people whose lives are affected by alcohol, drug or other addiction challenges, helping them build the skills and confidence to help them move into education or gain employment.
Whau Local Board awarded $4000 grant to Odyssey Trust in May 2020, which was used to help fund the construction of an outdoor classroom for the Trusts’ NCEA kai garden training programme which was recently completed.
The classroom provides a sheltered, comfortable space for trainees to complete their NCEA Unit Standard, learning about all aspects of food growing, including traditional Māori food-growing practices, and to grow produce that is used at Odyssey Café and in its residence.
Beneficial
Nicola Corney, Odyssey Training Manager, says that the classroom has been beneficial for the trainees already.
“As we expanded our services and introduced the kai garden training programme, we knew that an outdoor classroom space would play an important part in helping trainees to get the most from it.
“Many of our trainees have limited positive experience of education, so the programme connects them with a sense of academic achievement, helping to boost their confidence and enables them to start re-imagining a different future for themselves,” she says.
“Having the classroom now provides the opportunity for trainees to work and learn together as part of a team, helping them to develop skills to enter or re-enter the workplace, and is useful in both winter and summer for breaks from tasks in the garden, as we are lucky to have a beautiful sun-drenched garden, which gets very hot in the summer months!
“So having a space where they can all sit together around a table and discuss their learning, tasks or just share a cuppa is incredibly useful.
“We are really grateful to have been awarded the grant to build the classroom, without this support it would have taken us much longer to generate the required funding for it.”
Big difference
Whau Local Board Chair, Kay Thomas says that it is a great example of how a small grant can make a big difference.
“The work that Odyssey Trust does is really of utmost importance. Providing a pathway for people who are working to overcome significant challenges to build confidence and gain an accreditation is life changing.
“We are so pleased we have been able to support this important work and the lasting legacy this small grant will leave for many people to come.”
Find out more about available grants at aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/grants
